Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-12

then. with little Josefita in the midst, they |
would set up regular howl, shedding !
foods Of tears, bewaiiing her sad fate bit
terly in being thus left 10 languish in cap
tivity After these visits the girl was fit
for nothing for several days, but would sit
listlessly on the floor, with hands folded
and eyes fixed on vacancy, and nothing
could arouse her but the promise of visit
to her mother.
One day, being occupied with company,
Mrs c. sent the little girl alone in the car
riage to her mothers hovel, charging the
coachman to bring her safely back. In the
evening she returned. accompanied by all
her family. crying and bowling in concert,
" For the love OF the most Holy Virgin,
Scnoria Mia " Per la. Purissima Concep
ton Sonora CT etc. In great alarm my
friend anxiously inquired what had hap
pened, and after much difficulty learned
that all this grief and horror was occa-
stoned by the fact that the child had been
permitted to ride alone in the carriage, in
stead of being
ACCOMPANIED BY a cIIAPERoNE,
As etiquette demanded. Not long after
this narrowing episode, Josefita had per-
mission to spend the night with her fam
lily; but next day did not return as agreed
upon. In her stead came a dirty and nearly
illegible note, in which, after calling down
all the choicest blessings of heaven on their
patrons head, the mother concluded with
these words: But with much sorrow |
must take my child from your most illus
trious protection, for she needs to rest her
self les precise que descause). and is tired for
the present of working The whole
family then returned to begging, which
they considered infinitely less degrading,
but continued to subsist largely upon the
refuse from the kitchen of JoSefita's late
employer.
Yet Mexican servants have their good
qualities, and, on the whole, are to be pre-
ferred to the foreign help one finds
here There are thousands of them in ma
tive families who were born and served in
the casa where their mothers and grand
mothers served before them, and where
their children also will probably remain in
humble and contented serfdom.
Many foreigners on coming to Mexico to
reside bring servants with them but this
is dangerous experiment. The universal
languor that pervades the atmosphere and
possesses all classes, seizes upon them with
! especial force, inclining irresistibly to
sweet idleness" In ten days time they
begin to fancy themselves aristocrats of
high degree, and become unbearably inso-
lent. Generally the ambition of the women
is 10 marry Mexican gentlemen, and of the
men to set up shops and have Don tackled
to their names. Many of these fellows
have turned restaurants, who will send you
tolerable dinner at an eXtravagant
price 1t is common among foreigners re-
siding at the Capitol 10 adopt this less
troublesome though more expensive mode
of living, being served entirely by profes-
sional caterers, and thus dispensing with
home cooks altogether. When that
RARA AVIS,
A good Mexican honsekeeper, can be found
land that there are many such | gladly tes-
tify), then housekeeping in this land of
sunshine becomes a delight. Upon her
capable shoulders devolve all the cares of
the menange and-accustomed as she is to
the amiable weaknesses of her compdt,iotes
she is neither surprised nor troubled by
them, but knows how to manage all the
household machinery without jar or fric-
ton, despite drunken porters and slatternly
maids.
One circumstance is remarkable, viz,
| that dirty as the women servants appear
and Notwithstanding the enormous size of
Mexican houses and Mexican families, the
| houses themselves are usually the perfec-
| ton of cleanliness. That private houses
should have this great advantage over the
churches, theaters and other public build
| ings in this country, proves that the softer
sex know how to manage such matters
better th2n men, and incline one to wish.
a Ia MartiReGu, that the Mexican policemen
were all old women.
FANNIE B. WARD.